Scott Quigg is hoping to be a bit tasty in the ring when he faces Rendall Munroe next week.

Scott Quigg is hoping to be a bit tasty in the ring when he faces Rendall Munroe next week.

The British super bantamweight champion has turned to a potential future world title rival in his bid to win the interim WBA belt.

As part of his preparations he’s enlisted the help of one of the rising stars of American boxing Julian Ramirez.

The 19-year-old from Los Angeles is Freddie Roach’s latest protege at his world famous Wild Card gym. And while it wasn’t cheap as chips to bring him over to the UK for three weeks of sparring, Ramirez has been treated to the unexpected bonus of a classic fish supper during his stay in Bury.

Quigg’s Nan Sheila Rowles runs the town’s Brandlesholme Chippy.

And after trying out much of the cuisine on offer in Manchester, Ramirez couldn’t go home without sampling the most classic of British dishes.

“There is a lot of different food over here to what I’m used to East LA,” he said. “I’m used to rice and beans and things like that.

“I’ve been for a Nandos at the Trafford Centre and was also at a dinner with Joe Calzaghe - but I’ve heard so much about the famous British fish and chips.

“I knew Scott’s family had a fish and chip chop, but I also know he has to watch what he eats at the moment because he’s got to make weight for the fight.

“I didn’t want to tempt him by asking him to take me, so I was planning to find my own way to it because he said it was so good.”

The pair eventually made the trip this week – but it was a strictly watching brief for Quigg.

He doesn’t want anything to jeopardise his rematch with Munroe after their original fight in June was declared a technical draw because of a cut to his rival’s eye in the third round.

That’s why he’s paid for Ramirez to fly over to Manchester, after the pair struck up a friendship during Quigg’s training camp in LA in the summer.

His coach Joe Gallagher said: “At first Ramirez’ people weren’t sure about letting them spar because they might fight each other for real down the line.

“But they really got on when we were in LA and Julian was keen to come over here.

“It shows how seriously Scott is taking this challenge. No expense has been spared to bring over one of the hottest prospects in America.

“Oscar De La Hoya thinks he is a future world champion, so who knows, maybe he will be challenging Scott one day.”

Ramirez comes from impressive fighting stock. His uncle Genaro Hernandez was a former WBC super-featherweight champion, whose only defeats were against pound-for-pound greats Floyd Mayweather Jr and De La Hoya.

So far Ramirez has built up a five fight undefeated record and flew into Manchester the day after his victory against Steve Gutierrez last month.

He said: “It’s my first time overseas so I jumped at the chance to come. Scott just said that he really liked my style, he had this fight coming up and he wanted me to come over.

“We could be potential opponents in the future, but that would be way down the line.

“My management have got high hopes for me, but I’m a simple guy – I just like to box.

“I’m confident in my ability and it is my goal to be a world champion.”

While Ramirez’ title aspirations are some way in the future, he believes Quigg’s time is now.

“He’s a workaholic,” he said. “I can see him winning the world title, no problem.

“Whatever Munroe brings, Scott will be ready. He’s got the style to be a big star in America.”

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